The government must heed the advice of its own MPs and overhaul its fuel duty policy to avoid doing further damage to the industry and the economy, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned. During a four-hour debate in the House of Commons, Chloe Smith, the Economic Under Secretary to the Treasury, heard how high fuel prices have damaged businesses and communities, restricted economic growth, hurt motorists and stoked inflation and unemployment across the country. MPs told how hauliers and businesses in their constituencies have suffered at the hands of the highest rates of fuel duty in the EU and struggled to remain competitive and solvent, citing evidence from the FTA and other organisations.

During a four-hour debate in the House of Commons, Chloe Smith, the Economic Under Secretary to the Treasury, heard how high fuel prices have damaged businesses and communities, restricted economic growth, hurt motorists and stoked inflation and unemployment across the country. MPs told how hauliers and businesses in their constituencies have suffered at the hands of the highest rates of fuel duty in the EU and struggled to remain competitive and solvent, citing evidence from the FTA and other organisations.